Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Etihad Airways is re-timing its daily Abu Dhabi – Medina flights to a daytime operation and will also introduce three additional weekly services during the peak winter period.

Effective
1 February 2018, the current overnight departure from Abu Dhabi will be
replaced by a mid-morning flight offering an attractive schedule for travellers
flying between the UAE’s capital city and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.

The new daytime schedule will also improve connectivity to a
number of destinations served by Etihad Airways across the Indian Subcontinent
such as Colombo, Delhi, Islamabad, Karachi and Mumbai. There will also be new
two-way connections to key North Asian markets, including Beijing, Seoul and
Shanghai.

Ahead of the scheduling change, the airline will also increase
frequency from 7 to 10 flights a week for two months between December 1 and 31
January 2018 to cater for demand during the peak Umrah travel period. The
additional capacity will be operated with a two-class Airbus A320 featuring 16
seats in Business Class and 120 in Economy.

“The changes will greatly benefit our guests travelling between
Abu Dhabi and Medina, and offer improved connectivity across the Indian
Subcontinent and Asia.”

Saudi businesses will also
be able to take advantage of the additional capacity. Etihad Cargo carries
popular Saudi exports from Medina – predominantly dates and holy water – to
more than 100 destinations around its network.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline currently operates 77 flights a week
between the UAE’s capital city and four destinations across the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia – Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Medina.